I’ve been in a bah-humbug mood this season. This year I’ve witnessed people being guilted into spending more than they are able to in order to give presents to their children, family, friends and even acquaintances.

While it somewhat warms my heart to see people being generous and paying off layaway accounts, I still wonder what possesses needy people to put hundreds and hundreds of dollars of items on layaway. Do children really need all of that to have a Merry Christmas?

I’ve been that needy person. I’ve been at the lowest point in my life, where we needed food stamps just to have food on the table. I’m not proud of that time in our lives, but I know it has contributed to the person I am today. During that time, we didn’t overspend during the holidays (we just weren’t able too), and we still don’t today.

We are better off this year, but my kids are still getting presents I bought them at a thrift store and on Amazon. I spent a total of $23 this year on my children, and I’m okay with that. They are getting “new-to-them” Barbies, a train set and a puzzle each. And this weekend, we are focusing on what really matters. Presents are nice, but not worth going broke over.

I don’t mean this post to come across as snotty or judgmental in any way. It just breaks my heart to see people struggle and fall into the trap that retailers set every single year. One of the reasons I do post deals on this blog, is because I don’t want you spending all of your hard-earned money. I want you to get the best deals possible, so that you can save money and live well.

To me, Christmas is about being with family and celebrating the birth of my precious Savior. I desperately hope this serves as a reminder to just step back, and enjoy this coming week. Take some time to appreciate your loved ones, spend time with them and focus on why we really celebrate this time of year.

This next week I’ll be elbow deep in homemade cinnamon rolls, singing carols, dancing with the kids, seeing Christmas lights, reading stories with my family and enjoying some precious time with my young children that are growing up way too fast! I hope you will save money, live well and remember what really matters this time of year. I wish you all many blessings and a very Merry Christmas.

Posting will continue the first week of January. Until then, Subscribe to my updates on Facebook (hit the Subscribe button) to see what I’m cooking up in the kitchen and how we are spending this week together as a family. 

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